Kingdom of Saudi Arabia

The Kingdom of Saudi Arabia is the earliest civilization and largest country in the Arabian Peninsula, It occupies around 80% of the peninsula. Saudi Arabia has been a central pillar of the Arab Peninsula for decades. It occupies an area about an area of approximately 2,149,690 km2 (830,000 sq mi). The CIA World Factbook’s estimate agreed on the fact and lists Saudi Arabia as the world's 13th largest state. Saudi Arabia’s population is 27 million, including 8.4 million foreign residents (2010 census), and its capital city is Riyadh.

Saudi Arabia’s geography is diverse, with forests, grasslands, mountain ranges and deserts. The climate varies from region to region. Temperatures can reach over 110 degrees Fahrenheit in the desert in the summer, while in the winter temperatures in the north and central parts of the country can drop below freezing. Saudi Arabia gets very little rain, only about four inches a year on average.

The kingdom is emphasizing the relative solidity of monarchies and called ancient trade centre as well. Saudi Arabia is ranked 6 among 22 MENA countries. Life expectancy is among the highest in the region.

Saudi Arabia, population growth rate has gone down significantly over recent years, from 3.4% in 1999 to 1.8% for 2009.

Arabic is the dominant language of Saudi Arabia, although English is of great importance in business. Being such a large country, Saudi Arabia is home of several major dialects, but a few of them are a result of immigration in modern times. The two largest are Najdi and Hijazi.
There are two streams, Arabs (Native Arabs 56%) and Beouins (other Arabs 27%), known as Nomadic Arabs also but in other countries, they are counted as one people. These nomadic Arabs have unique lifestyle, culture, dialects and social structure. Mainly the 80% of Saudi Arabians live in Urban Zone. The division of the streams is into existence due to more cultural affairs rather than ethnical. This is to be considered that Native Arabs are the habitants of central and western Arabia (Najd and Hijaz), while the other people are from the outer edge of present Saudi Arabia and the immigrants from other Arab countries too. Bedouins, follow the nomadic lifestyle because their descendents were almost living like as nomads. Rest 18% population consists other Arabs, African, Asian and European and Americans in minor.

The vegetation of the country is mostly xenophiles. Animal life consist baboon, wolves, wildcats, ibex and hyenas and small birds can be find in oases.

green background, with Arabic inscription and a sword in white letters. The Muslim creed in Arabic can be seen, which means, There is no god but God: Muhammad is the Messenger of God.

Emblem

A date palm, representing vitality and growth, and two crossed swords, symbolizing justice and strength rooted in faith.

Location

southwest Asia, at the crossroads of Europe, Asia and Africa; extending from the Red Sea in the west to the Arabian Gulf in the east; bordered on the north by Jordan, Iraq and Kuwait, on the south, by Yemen and Oman, and on the east by the United Arab Emirates, Qatar and Bahrain.

Terrain

varied; fairly barren and harsh, with salt flats, gravel plains and sand deserts; a few man-made lakes but no permanent streams; in the south, the Rub Al-Khali (Empty Quarter), the largest sand desert in the world; in the southwest, mountain ranges of over 9,000 feet.

Climate

June through August, over 110 degrees Fahrenheit midday in the desert; humidity in coastal regions up to 100 percent; elsewhere, mild; possible winter temperatures in the northern and central regions dropping below freezing; rainfall, from none at all for up to 10 years in the Rub Al-Khali, to 20 inches a year in the mountains of Asir Province.

Population

As of the 2007, 24 million, including about 6.5 million expatriates.

Industries

Mainly Arab industries are associated with petroleum sector, including power generation. Other industries are into producing consumer products and product like cement. Saudi Arab has established their new industries in the production of steel.

Religion

Islam, which is the basis of the legal system and of government.

Language

Arabic; English widely spoken in urban areas.

National Day

September 23, commemorating the foundation of the modern Kingdom of Saudi Arabia in 1932.

Rulers

King Abdulaziz bin Abdelrahman Al-Saud, the founder (1932-1963), followed by his sons: King Saud (1953-64), King Faisal (1964-75), King Khalid (1975-82), King Fahd (1982-2005) and the current ruler, Custodian of the Two Holy Mosques King Abdullah bin Abdulaziz, seen on the left with the late King Fahd and current Crown Prince Sultan bin Abdulaziz.

Government

Islamic state based on principles prescribed by the Qur'an (Islam's Holy Book) and the Shari'ah (Islamic law); Provincial Council System, Consultative Council (Majlis Al-Shura), and Council of Ministers.